About this Checklist
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for children and youth is a vital responsibility of every ministry. This checklist is designed to help leaders evaluate the strength and effectiveness of their current child abuse prevention policies and practices. By reviewing each item, ministries can identify areas for improvement, ensure compliance with legal requirements, and reinforce their commitment to protecting the well-being of children entrusted to their care.
Do you currently have a written child abuse prevention policy for your children’s and youth ministry programs?
Have you consulted an attorney in the development of a child abuse prevention policy?
Do you strictly enforce your current policy or program?
Do your policies include safeguards for minimizing the risk of abuse?
On and off ministry premises, do you have at least two, unrelated adults supervise a group of children at all times, whether they are in a room, a vehicle, or other enclosed space—even if only one or two children need care?
Do you ensure an adequate number of adult chaperones for all off-premise events, especially those that involve overnight stays?
Do you discourage the use of teenagers as child care workers unless they are screened and are working alongside two adults?
Do you use a “claim check” procedure so that children are released only to a parent, guardian, or other authorized person?
Do you forbid one-to-one electronic communication between adults and youth?
Do you have adequate insurance coverage to protect yourself financially if a claim of child abuse occurs?
Do you provide regular training for children’s and youth ministry workers?
Do you have a clearly defined reporting procedure in case an incident of abuse occurs?
Do your children’s and youth ministry leaders know the state and federal requirement for reporting child abuse and neglect?
Do your staff members and volunteers know how to identify inappropriate behavior and the procedures for reporting such conduct?
Are you prepared to respond to potential media inquiries?
Have you developed and implemented a plan to regularly communicate your child protection policies to ministry attendees?
Do you regularly review your program and make changes when needed?
Do you instruct your chaperones to avoid the use of accusation, criticism, blame, shame, sarcasm, and other forms of negative discipline?
Do you instruct your chaperones to avoid any use of physical punishment?
Are your children’s and youth leaders and volunteers given access to training that can help them develop their behavior management skills?
Posted 2022
This is a sample document only. Your organization is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. Accordingly, this checklist should not be used or adopted by your organization without first being reviewed and approved by a licensed attorney in your state. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company assumes no liability in the preparation and distribution of this checklist.
